Alan Lavine

Variable-annuity sales are booming the National Association for Variable Annuities (NAVA) estimates they will surpass $150 billion for 2006, up 33 percent versus the previous year.

Are equity-indexed annuities securities or insurance? Ever since the NASD issued its Notice to Members 05-50 in August 2005, this question has been the subject of much debate. And, until it's resolved, the regulatory...

Studies indicate stock options have contributed significantly to the sharp rise in the number of households worth $25 million and more. That means there's a growing number of executives who qualify as clients for the...

Too many clients fail to insure their collections, often because they don't want to create records of their valuables' worth; sometimes because they just don't get around to it.

Executive long-term care insurance can be an attractive benefit both for the company offering it and the insured.

Nearly one-half of all variable annuity sales are in individual retirement account (IRA) rollovers, according to the National Association of Variable Annuities, Reston, Va.

Abusive 412(i)s led to an Internal Revenue Service crack down, leaving a taint on the reputation of this type of defined benefit plan. But legitimate versions of the 412(i) can prove quite useful to small business...